Alex Dampier today called on his Vipers team to stay out of the penalty box against Coventry Blaze in tonight's crunch play-off game at the Telwest Arena (7.15).

The last two matches between Coventry and Newcastle - both at the Skydome - saw players from both sides thrown out and a rivalry has been developing between the two sides since the Vipers beat the Blaze in the Findus Cup final.

And to add spice to the occasion Rob Trumbley will make his comeback from a broken and dislocated finger, an injury he suffered in Coventry.

But Dampier believes Newcastle - whose final play-off group game is at the Skydome and could prove the more feisty encounter - must keep their emotions in check if they are to give themselves a chance of repeating their two home wins over the British National League champions.

He said: "We've got to keep out of the penalty box tonight.

"Having a bit of an edge to a game is no bad thing but we've got to be sensible.

"We cannot have a couple of their guys jeopardise our chances in the play-offs.

"We've got to be focused."

Dampier expects to have Ian Defty - who strained his knee in the 3-2 win over Basingstoke Bison on Tuesday - back in the line up.

Joel Irwin will be given a late fitness test, having been suffering back spasms all week.

Back-up netminder Stephen Wall will dress despite suffering a groin strain in the warm-up of the Basingstoke game.

And Dampier is hoping the Vipers - who beat Blaze 3-0 in the Findus Cup final and 2-1 in the BNL in January - can record a third win over the champions on home ice.

He said: "Everybody's in the same boat.

"You've got to win your home games and with us having lost in Cardiff in our first game the pressure's on us to win tomorrow in Basingstoke as well.

"It's tough and two teams will go out.

"When we've lost heavily to Coventry this season we've not had a full bench but we'll be fairly strong tonight.

"Rob Trumbley's back but I don't know how fit he'll be.

"I don't know whether Joel Irwin will ice but if he doesn't then that'll hurt us.

"Ian Defty will see how it goes and Stephen Wall will dress."

Tomorrow night the Vipers are in Hampshire to face Basingstoke, who have lost their opening three play-off games and prop up Group A. Cardiff Devils are top on four points while Coventry and Newcastle both have two, though the Blaze have a game in hand over the Vipers.

Newcastle's last two games are at home to Cardiff on March 15 and away to Coventry the following night.